As they struggle with their own disappointments and injury issues, 29 teams in Major League Baseball can agree on one thing.

At least they aren't the Twins.

Fifty games into the season, no team has had its hopes and dreams as effectively crushed as the Minnesota Twins. They have two former two former MVPs still in the primes of their careers – Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. But one has been sapped by a vague viral illness and the other has returned from a concussion as only a shadow of his former self (at least so far). Add a closer who has yet to fully recover from Tommy John surgery and you get the worst record in baseball. The death of Twins icon Harmon Killebrew only added to the pain for Minnesotans.

Their second year in beautiful Target Field has been a terrible two for the Twins. As the Angels head to the Land of 10,000 Lakes (but only 16 wins) for a three-game series this weekend, we checked in with Minneapolis Star-Tribune baseball writer (and SoCal ex-pat) Joe Christensen for some perspective on the down-trodden Twins. Check out Joe's 'Around the Majors' blog and follow him on Twitter @JoeCStrib.

Click on the photos for a preview of the Angels-Twins series in Minnesota this weekend.

Twins fans don't know what to make of their team this year. Click on the photos for a preview of the Angels-Twins series in Minnesota this weekend.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO1) Are the Twins really the worst team in baseball?

(Their 16-32 record is the worst in the majors.)TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO

I can't believe it either, but it's true that the Twins are the worst team in MLB by almost any measure.

This isn't one of those teams that has played better than its record. The run differential (-88) is staggering. The team has serious flaws offensively, defensively, with starting pitching and relief. When they hit, they don't pitch. When they pitch, they don't hit. They have trouble getting a lead and even more trouble holding a lead.

When that happens night after night for eight weeks, you know you're watching a bad team.

TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO2) Just what is wrong with Joe Mauer?

(Mauer, above, has played just nine games this season.)TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO

The Twins have called it bilateral leg weakness, but even Mauer has said he's not sure how they got that description.

Mauer had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in mid-December. His legs were weak, and he rushed his recovery in March to be ready for Opening Day, thinking he would gain strength as he went. That backfired. Compensating for his bad leg, his shoulder and elbow became real issues before he went on the DL, April 12. Then he got hit with a nasty viral infection and lost about 15 pounds.

He's determined to come back stronger this time, which is why his rehab is taking so long.

(Morneau -- above right with Jim Thome -- missed the final three months of the 2010 season after suffering a concussion on July 7.)TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO

Yes and no.

He looked very rusty in April, and there have been glimpses of his former self this month. He's still searching for that consistency. I give him credit for playing as much as he's played, especially since he lost about 15 pounds in April, with a viral infection very similar to Mauer's.

It's been strange watching teams pitch to Morneau in big situations, knowing the trouble he's having covering the outside part of the plate.

TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO4) There was an outpouring of fondness and affection for Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew when the Twins legend died last week. What was your favorite story or anecdote about Killebrew?TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO

When he died, the Twins held a press conference, giving Kent Hrbek, Paul Molitor and Jack Morris -- all Minnesota natives -- the chance to talk about what Killebrew meant to them.

We all remember Jack Morris (above) from his pitching days as a crusty, no-nonsense competitor. When his turn came to speak, he just broke down.

"I lost a hero," he said. "I'll always remember the good in Harmon. I'll remember the innocence of being a young kid who just looked up to a guy he didn't know because of what he did as a baseball player.

As a grown man now, I look back at him not as that guy but as the guy that tried to show me you don't have to be angry, you don't have to be mad. You can love and share love."

Coming from Morris, that was powerful stuff.

TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, AP PHOTO5) Do people actually eat fried walleye on a stick at Target Field?TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT

You betcha!

Eating anything "on a stick" is a Minnesota tradition. At the State Fair, in late summer, you'll find pickles on a stick, pizza on a stick, even spaghetti & meatballs on a stick.

The Twins sell walleye on a stick in one of their center field concession stands. It was a nice novelty last year. Right now, these fans are hungry for a few more W's on a stick.

TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, FILE PHOTO
Probable pitchers for the Angels-Twins series in Minnesota this weekend:

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.